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Members of Save Bath Library claim they were given varying explanations about the event room closure as the months dragged on, starting with an explanation from Council Connect that the library was moving.

The tweet from @ccbathnes on March 1 said: "As the library is moving, we are currently not accepting bookings due to disruption caused by the move."

Adding to the confusion, a notice appeared in the library this week (August 16) announcing that “behind the scenes” building work would start on Monday (August 21).

A council spokesman confirmed the work was to remove the broken shelving unit and “make good the area”.

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“We anticipate that it will take to the autumn before the room is available for reuse by the public.”

The notice that appeared on the main librarian's desk on Wednesday, August 16

When asked why the event room had been closed for so long, the council provided the following statement.

“The closure has been due to a combination of the removal and storage of archives material before its relocation to the Guildhall, and to the fact that the rolling stack is broken and has to be emptied before it can be moved out of the library.

“Moving the rolling stack involves relocating over 5,000 books which have to be stored whilst the removal work is ongoing.

“Access is required to the books on a daily basis and as no alternative space in the back office is available, the events space has therefore been used as temporary storage.

“A problem was recently identified with the lift that would be used for the removal of the rolling stack.